Mapping Local Resettlement

To study the impact of refugee resettlement in host communities, we developed a research strategy that we would apply in our two case study sites. This process included walking through these two sites and taking photos of all businesses, organizations, public spaces, and anything else that stood out to us––It is important to note that we did this as relative outsiders to the communities of focus, and therefore the spaces we deemed “interesting” may differ from a resident’s perspective–– As we collected this data, we created a classification system for the types of spaces we came across. The classifications are as follows:

Community Centers: Organizations that serve a specific community, or work to build a community through various social, recreational, or educational activities.

To help visualize these settlement sites, we created a series of still maps, as well as an interactive map that includes both locations, featuring a photo and brief description of each site we identified. Some spaces fit into more than one category, however, for the purposes of this study, we organized them how we believe best describes the space according to our classifications.

Educational services: 16%

Retail trade: 15%

Accommodation and food services: 15%

Manufacturing: 9%

Professional, scientific and technical services: 8%

Health care and social assistance: 7%

Construction: 6%

Local Agency Responsible for Settlement of Refugees:Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program (USCIS)Colchester, VT 05446,
Director: Amila Merdzanovic
About: VRRP is Vermont's local field office of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, and has been operating for over 30 years. Services are provided with the help of various local community organizations.

Interpretation and translation services

Health and behavior: This program focuses on domestic violence education and assistance and HIV prevention services for youth

Workforce development

Transition and integration: Connects immigrants and refugees with social service providers with the help of case managers

New Farms for New Americans (NFNA): This program provides subsistence size plots of land to all participants to increase food security among immigrants and refugees. NFNA oversees six acres of farmland, provides workshops on the specifics of farming in Vermont, and helps farmers to overcome the barriers that may prevent them from receiving farming and gardening technical skills.

“Exiles on North Street”Written by Ken PicardDecember 10, 2008
Tells the story of several newly arrived Iraqi refugees and their frustrations with VRRP and the
settlement process as a whole. They had once held high paying jobs and nice homes in Iraq and express their discontent and disappointment of what life in Vermont has been for them compared to their expectations.http://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/exiles-on-north-street/Content?oid=2135918

Winooski, VT

Winooski City Profile (click to view)

Vermont State Coordinators:

State Refugee Coordinator: Denise Lamoureux

State Refugee Health Coordinator: Martha Friedman

ORR Regional Representative: Julie Munro

Background Information:

Population in 2014: 7,228 (%100 urban, 0% rural)

Estimated per capita income in 2013: $26,240

Median House or Condo Value in 2013: $221,680

Median Gross Rent (2013): $980

Racial Breakdown:

White: 85.9%

Black alone: %6.3

Asian alone: 4.0%

Two or more races: 1.6%

Hispanic: 1.5%

Land Area: 1.4 square miles

Population Density: 5,052 people per square mile (average)

FBP: 10.3% (State Average: 3.8%)

Unemployment Rate (September 2015): 3.4% (State Average: 3.9%)

Most Common Industries:

Retail trade: 14%

Professional, scientific and technical services: 14%

Manufacturing: 11%

Educational services: 10%

Accommodation and food services: 8%

Construction: 8%

Health care and social assistance: 7%

Local Agency Responsible for Settlement of Refugees:

Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program (USCIS)

Colchester, VT 05446

Director: Amila Merdzanovic

About: VRRP is Vermont's local field office of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, and has been operating for over 30 years. Services are provided with the help of various local community organizations.

Some Services Include:

Reception at the airport

Interpretation and translation

Cultural orientation

Housing assistance

Basic furnishings and housing wares

English language training

Employment counseling

Professional, culturally appropriate support

Settlement Breakdown 2002-2015

Country of Origin

#Settled 2002-2015

Bhutan

389

Burma

28

Croatia

4

Dem. Rep. of Congo

1

India

1

Iraq

55

Nepal

1

Somalia

32

Somalia

2

Total

511

Secondary Organizations:

Associations-Africans Living in Vermont (AALV)

Burlington, VT

Leadership:

Executive Director: Yacouba Jacob Bogre

Program Specialist: Bhuwan Sharma

What They Do:

Interpretation and translation services

Health and behavior: This program focuses on domestic violence education and assistance and HIV prevention services for youth

Workforce development

Transition and integration: Connects immigrants and refugees with social service providers with the help of case managers

New Farms for New Americans (NFNA): This program provides subsistence size plots of land to all participants to increase food security among immigrants and refugees. NFNA oversees six acres of farmland, provides workshops on the specifics of farming in Vermont, and helps farmers to overcome the barriers that may prevent them from receiving farming and gardening technical skills.

Somali Bantu Association of Vermont

Winooski, VT

Leadership:

Office Manager: Mohamed Muktar

What They Do:

Adult literacy classes

New Fathers Initiative program: Support group for refugee fathers adjusting to life in Vermont

Knitting group project: Meant to create an environment where refugee women can socialize and form a bond over traditional crafts

Tabar Women’s Leadership Program

Youth Recreational Program

Reparative Probation Project

Community Support Program

Community Farming Project

Vital Information project

Citizenship classes

Interpretation services

Vermont Bhutanese Association

Winooski, VT

What They Do:

Foster intra and inter-community communications

Encourage cultural and religious identity, heritage and freedom

Advance personal, educational and occupational growth

Islamic Society of Vermont

Colchester, VT

Leadership:

Vice President (Acting President): Br. Farhad Khan

Sara Holbrook Community Center

Burlington, VT 05401

Leadership:

Executive Director: Leisa Pollander

Associate Director: Jenny Evans

What They Do:

Afterschool and summer programs

New Arrivals summer program: Allows immigrant and refugee children to practice their English and continue to learn in between school years

Free Adult English Classes

Food assistance

Newspaper Articles:

“In Winooski, Many See Refugee Resettlement As Economic Advantage”

Written by Nina Keck

June 13, 2016

This article uses Winooski as an example of a successful settlement site to which Rutland can compare too. They highlight the success of two specific refugees and how the refugee community has helped the city grow.

“Vermont Bhutanese Graduate From Being Renters to Homeowners –– and Landlords”

Written by Ken Picard

March 13, 2013

This article tells the story of Bhutanese refugees coming to Vermont and working their way up to become homeowners and landlords. It discusses their transition from a refugee camp in Nepal to their initial arrival in Burlington, and some of the hardships they faced during the adjustment period.